PROPERTY expert Alan Coombs knows all about the period details of a disused Victorian police station - after he spent six hours locked inside by accident.

He was conducting a technical survey in one of the tiny cells when he heard the large steel door swing shut behind him.

He alerted a colleague on his mobile but neither of them had the right key to unlock the door at the old Denton police station which, it is hoped, will be converted into flats for sale.

Surveyor Alan, 33, was trapped inside the 6ft by 14ft cell, sitting on a threadbare mattress waiting to be rescued.

He only had a small window to illuminate his grim surroundings and a screen to hide the slopping-out bucket.

He was finally released by a specialist police locksmith.

Father-of-one Alan said: "I had my mobile phone so I could call for help, then I called my wife. She sent me a couple of text messages but there wasn't much sympathy!"

'Click'

The police station on Stockport Road closed two years ago and was bought by developer Manoj Aggarwal. Alan, who works for Survey Systems in Wilmslow, was hired along with fellow surveyor Dave Cullen to draw up preliminary plans of the building.

He said: "I was in the cells by myself sketching plans . . . then I heard the door click shut."

Colleagues passed drinks and a packed lunch through the security grille to keep Alan's spirits up as he remained trapped during his lunch break.

He added: "I've been surveying for eight years and nothing like this has happened before.

"I've never been arrested so I was anxious to be locked inside a cell, but I can see how it is amusing.

"Unfortunately I'm going to be getting ribbed in the office for probably years to come."

Mr Aggarwal said: "Once we established he was fine and more embarrassed than anything we started to see the funny side."